Balmain Boat Company

The Balmain Boat Company was launched in the spring of 2011. Since then, they have shipped boat kits to every state and territory in Australia and as far away as France and the United Kingdom. The boats are a testament to Simpson’s design acumen. They’re sold as flat sheets of timber that any pair of hands can transform into a watertight vessel. Still’s hands were two of the first to show how achievable it is – you can watch her progress on their website. They’re also cheap, functional and as elegant as anything you’ll see on the harbour or bay.

The boat kits are laser cut from certified sustainable-source marine ply and, when constructed, are just over two metres long (big enough to seat three adults). They can be fitted with sails, oars and outboard motors and there is a miniature version for kids that can be towed behind the ‘Classic’ model.

The design of the wooden clinker-built boats is a romanticised blend of ’40s-style rowboat with the contemporary clean lines and neat edges of computer-led wood-cutting. At 2.3 metres, they are big enough to fit three adults but small enough to pop on the roofracks of a small car. Cheaper and better-looking than your average tinny, the boats bring a stylish water lifestyle well within reach.

One Education: Infinity

A child born today without access to technology in their formative years risks missing out on social and economic opportunities later in life.

Vert Design are working with One Education to realise the vision of company founder Rangan Srikhanta. The Infinity is a revolutionary tablet/laptop, which aims to close the digital divide by creating a simple, affordable & universal platform for any child to use.

The child-friendly design incorporates a key innovation that makes technological obsolescence a thing of the past. The Infinity reshapes the way in which we interact with technology, it is a 'system architecture' rather than a single device.

During the lifetime of the product, it will have different screens, batteries, and even core modules installed. Owners will have the freedom to switch outdated modules as effortlessly as replacing the batteries in your TV remote.

The NRMA Fireblanket

Vert Design have been working together with NRMA Insurance & M&C Saatchi's innovation partner Tricky Jigsaw to create The NRMA Fireblanket; an early bushfire detection & monitoring network.

During the course of the collaborative two year project Vert were engaged to lead all areas of industrial design & development to produce a prototype designed to sense, locate & track bushfire smoke while spreading a virtual safety blanket over at-risk communities.

Rather than line-of-sight, the system relies on mounted sensors that can measure gas levels in the air to pin point where a bushfire has started & where it is spreading to. The live information is relayed to local fire services to help them prevent the fire from spreading.

The prototype housing was produced in aluminium to provide a rugged housing that can not only protect the internal sensors, but withstand the initial heat of a fire long enough to provide vital sensor data.

Baré

In 2014 Vert Design were approached by a new client requiring a bespoke glass bottle for a range of all natural facial serums formulated to harness the unique cosmetic properties from selected Australian botanical extracts.

The initial concepts took on classic forms used in traditional & historical medicine, using alchemy, mastery & natural elixirs as directional cues. The lead concept made reference to the traditional scientific florence-flask & even featured a completely spherical base & timber ring for the bottle to rest on.

As the concept developed it evolved into the organic form you see today; a glass bottle with delicate & feminine profile curves. Mismatched, flowing inner vs. outer surfaces encapsulate the serum as if it were suspended in the frosted glass bottle, a visual reference to the organic diffusion that often occurs in biological cellular imagery.

The leaf inspired applicator was developed to bring a new experience for product delivery within the serum category, the co-moulded applicator acts as a stopper to seal the bottle, and when removed captures serum in its reservoir, a series of fine fins slow the serum into a steady flow of droplets allowing controlled measurement & application.

Depot Creative generated a stunning brand identity for Baré with a comprehensive set of 2D assets which build on the initial brand positioning and bring the structural work to life. The range artwork exhibits a beautiful representation of natures hidden workings with fascinating hi-res radiographic artwork by Steven N Meyers.

The shared passion & discipline on visual language that went into this collaborative project was recognised at the 2016 A' Design Awards claiming Gold. "The Golden A' Design Award is a prestigious award given to top 3% percentile, designs that exhibit an exemplary level of excellence in design". - A' Design Award

Dresden Optics

Beginning life as a blank canvas start-up, Vert worked closely with the founders of Dresden Optics to design & develop a new, innovative glasses system with a single universal frame style & user-friendly customisability.

Setting out with the aim to make glasses more simple & less expensive without compromising quality, the flexible, lightweight & interchangeable frames & arms come in four sizes, joining with a unique hinge-pin system.

As well as all elements for the glasses, Vert designed the original tooling for the first run parts & develop the system for the Dresden team to injection mould their own frames in the Newtown shop, using waste plastic and allowing consumers to bring their old plastic products in and experience the process involved in making a new pair of glasses.

Alaskan Rock

Alaskan Rock is a small-batch artisanal vodka made in Australia with packaging and branding by Vert Design. The brief was to create a design that would have a masculine edge and reflect the brand’s strong and distinctive spirit.

The bottle design is made from black hand-finished Mexican glass with white-raised lettering and a distinctive sculptural punt.

Punts are a legacy of the glassblowing process that were made redundant by industrial glassmaking techniques. They now exist purely as an aesthetic detail. Vert’s team decided to exaggerate the punt’s formal qualities, creating a bottle with a sculptural form denoting an Alaskan mountain range.

The prototype was blown by a team of glassblowers at Canberra Glassworks and the finished design produced in Mexico.

O Six Hundred

The O Six Hundred kayak is the brainchild of Ben Cooper and Vert Design. The kayak is true to its original concept; based on a tried and tested 4,000 year old design, but fabricated using precision CNC cut marine grade hoop pine plywood, full length red-cedar strengthening strips and a heat-welded carbon fabric skin. The smart skeleton frame optimises the structural properties of its materials resulting in a super-lightweight kayak which is both tough and beautiful.

The kayak is available to order from the O Six Hundred website and comes as a ‘ready to assemble’ flatpack kit. Constructed from just 30 pieces you can enjoy building you own at home.

The O Six Hundred Kayak won 'Best In Category' at the 2015 Good Design Award® under Product Design - Sport and Lifestyle.

Forbes Hospital: Tactile Map

Vert was contracted by BrandCulture; a branding, environmental graphics & wayfinding specialist to design & produce a tactile map of the new Forbes Hospital development.

With a brief to produce a one-off scale model installation for the new hospital. A modular 3D layout of polished aluminium structures show off the structural details of the new development around the sites topographical markings.

Vert focused an extreme level of care & attention on translating the original architectural Building Information Models (BIM) into an accurate scale model suitable for CNC machining. Creating CAD data to aid the design of what is in essence; a large 3D puzzle, requiring snug, secure assembly and fixture to a prefabricated concrete plinth on site.

A combination of lateral thinking, artistic interpretation and technical knowledge culminated in producing this striking piece.

MAAS, Out of Hand Exhibition: Lucien Henry

The exhibition “Out of Hand” explores the ever increasing role of digital manufacturing in contemporary art, science, fashion, design and architecture. The Museum of Applied Arts & Science (MAAS) commissioned the creation of 3d printed objects, which will be used as part of the 2016 exhibition.

Vert Design was asked to interpret designs of French-Australian artist Lucien Henry (1850-96), pieces were taken from his major work “Australian Decorative Arts: One Hundred Studies and Designs”, which contained watercolours that revealed his vision for public art and architecture based on Australian flora and fauna. The pieces included a cup, decanter, soup terrine and ladle. Each object featuring heavily textured surfaces that take inspiration from the iconic Australian Waratah flower.

With only 2D elevations used as guidance along with some creative licence, highly detailed CAD models were reproduced in digital form which were then fabricated using a 3D printing method called Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) which defines the intricate surface detailing included in the 3D data in nylon plastic.

Steps will now be taken to interpret the designs in other mediums such as metal and glass.

GEOHEX Erosion Control System

Vert designed & developed a modular, interlocking floor panel system for ground reinforcement in industrial environments such as mining & farming, the design offers an efficient & robust water permeable solution to ground stabilisation & erosion control.

The calculated technical detail that went into the design of the paneling system makes it superior to any comparable product on the market.

Focusing on key drivers important for industrial applications for ground reinforcement including; weight & palatability / stackability, unit size & ease of installation, strength & load bearing capacity - all factors that were carefully analysed and optimised during the development of the paneling system.

Maker’s Mark Old Fashioned Week

Vert designed & produced a series of hand-made whiskey cocktail tumblers specially for the Maker’s Mark Old Fashioned Week event that runs from 12th - 20th May 2016.

The project was commissioned by The Works and featured a run of 200 glasses based on a single design but with different characteristic attributes giving each glass a sense of individually; fitting for the notion the Maker’s Mark Old Fashioned Week where each bar participating create their own twist on the classic cocktail... so no two cocktails end up the same.

Ocean Collection

After of years of experimentation with low-pressure injection moulding to create new products from salvaged waste plastic, Vert finally cross paths with Emma Swann; Founder & Jewellery Designer at personalised jewellery company Recreational Studio, an entrepreneur with the talent & drive to carry the idea from concept through to a tangible product & commercial success. The result was joint venture; Ocean Collection.

Vert & Emma worked together to create the meaningful & timeless mens cuff design made from marine debris, salvaged from our ocean shores.

The low-pressure injection moulding process makes it possible to over-mould CNC cut brass with the collected plastic, which is inherently an assortment of different polymer types.

With environmental awareness & responsibility at the forefront of the project, Vert worked hard to bring to life an ultra minimal & environmentally silent packaging solution to keep the cuffs safe during shipping, check it out here.

Ovvio Organics

Vert worked with Ovvio Organics to create the new packaging for their magnificent range of premium organic teas, a clean gloss white tin with an offset lid frames the company tagline in a striking colour-break.

Two sizes of tin and a single size carton were developed to become the essential & recognisable 3D assets for the iconic Australian tea company.

Bunsters Fresh Chilli Sauce

Vert worked with Bunsters Fresh to design a champagne inspired 250ml glass bottle for a new range of chilli sauces.

The no-nonsense Perth based sauce brand successfully crowdfunded its way to market, launching the range in late 2015 with its eye-wateringly hot flagship product; shit the bed, which contains the formidable Trinidad Moruga Scorpion Chilli.

Ocean Collection Packaging

Whilst exploring solutions for the cuff packaging, paper-pulp moulding quickly stood out as a natural fit, but in order to create packaging that follows the waste-reversal philosophy of the product itself we went back & started at the very beginning.

Considering every aspect of the life-cycle, we studied production processes, designed & tested complex 3D printed tooling and engaged a local paper-mill to help develop the system and eventually batch produce the pulp-formings using salvaged junk paper.

Each pulp-forming is processed & pressed by hand then sewn shut with a recycled card backing, and the organic cotton thread is colour-matched with the cuff inside. Even the ink used is vegetable based.

One Central Park

The vertical gardens at One Central Park was a large project for Vert to be engaged with which required the whole team. Vert's role in this was to interpret architectural plans for every level of the building to create the necessary shop drawings to fabricate support frames and structural brackets to hold all of the vertical gardens in place.

Central Park’s vertical gardens are designed on the concept of fluidity – to create the impression of a fluid, soft and inviting garden with gentle curves in colour, shape and texture of plants.

The vertical gardens are designed to withstand seasonal conditions; plants which thrive with large exposure to sun and sunlight are selected for the top of the wall, such as Acacias (wattles) and Poa (grasses) while more delicate plants such as Goodenia (hop bush) and Viola (native Violet), which require more hydration, are chosen for the bottom.

The vertical gardens at One Central Park vary in size, however the tallest vertical garden which is Blanc’s tallest vertical garden in the world, measuring 42 metres high and 4 metres wide. The gardens included 21 panels covering 1,120 sqm with over 35200 plants in total.

Folding Knife Making

The Vert design team took a field-trip to Canberra to spend 2.5 days with Australia's leading Bladesmiths at Tharwa Valley Forge, brushing up their knowledge on metalwork and excising some good old fashioned craftsmanship.

Over the time at the forge they made a series of custom shaped folding knives, starting out with Steel & Brass in a raw sheet state, meticulously hand crafting the spring & pin mechanism, heat treating & tempering the Steel to achieve the required properties for each part, blade sharpening and eventually timber handle making, assembly and peening.

"Most of our studio work is digitally produced and even prototypes are 3D printed or CNC'ed so hand-making is no longer a core design skill for day-to-day work, but knowing about how materials behave and their limitations is still core to what we do, as is designing for process. That's why we get our hands dirty as often as possible, it makes us better designers”. - Andrew Simpson.

Telstra: Licensee & Partners Award

Vert Design was commissioned by BrandCulture to design & produce a set of glass trophies to be presented as part of the Telstra Licensee & Partners Conference 2016. The team at Vert utilised their experience in mould making, craft glass production & strong supplier relationships to produce these unique awards within a reasonably tight project timeframe.

During production, Vert experimented with different applications for specialty Dichroic Glass; a visually fascinating glass that uses a vaporised metallic oxide within its crystalline structure, giving the awards a dynamic reflective colour.

Refining the process in the glass blowing studio, two versions of the awards were developed.

One (earmarked for further development) displayed an impressive refractive colour but required a greater level of technical skill with a cast, over-moulded segment of dichroic glass. The second version saw a cleaner final form and includes a dichroic adhesive base film to achieve the clear iridescent shimmer.

Finally the awards were laser engraved with their respective titles & presented at the conference. The end result; a stunning display of design, craft & colour.

Ayva Packaging: 30L Elite Pail

Ayva Packaging is a leading plastic packaging solutions provider in Australia. Vert Design were engaged to develop a new range of 30L drums to complement their existing Elite Pail range.

In a market driven by cost & efficiency, Vert explored opportunities around injection moulding the 30L drum instead of the common process for this category; blow moulding. Injection moulding allowed for more complex detailing & features on the drum, and for the design to nest more efficiently.

A unique tear away tamper-evidence band was developed in conjunction with a new threaded closure with a large integrated handle that provides a comfort & security in handling & transport.

ADVANCE™ utilised these drums for its new 12-15kg range of dog food, now available at all major pet stores.

Plan V: Emergency Charging Device

Plan V is an emergency phone charger designed by Vert Design for startup tech company Flintu, the simple, small & lightweight device hangs off your keyring so its with you when you need it.

The folding body of the Plan V device is made from TPR Rubber which encapsulates the tech inside. It allows you to link a standard 9-volt battery to your Android or iPhone to give it a boost of power when it runs out or gets too low.

Flintu ran a Kickstarter campaign which saw a sensational response raising over $100k in funding to get the project off the ground.

Bennelong Cutlery Trays

Situated beneath the iconic concrete ribcage of the Opera House’s exposed internal structure is Bennelong Restaurant; Sydney’s most breathtaking fine dining experience. Bennelong is a space embellished with theatre & spectacle and serves as a stage for internationally acclaimed chef Peter Gilmore to showcase his touch on modern Australian cuisine.

Vert were commissioned to design & supply a series of bespoke products for the restaurant in time for its opening in 2015. This is one of the resulting products, a set of x15 cutlery trays carefully designed & handmade to fit within this spectacular temple for both classic & modern design.

The main units are built from solid American Oak, stained black to accent the beautiful natural grain of the timber. The Brass ends add a warm contrast to the black main body, while black Leather lining softens the inside & protects the cutlery within.

Utilising the plug & play Samsung Gear VR hardware, we developed a housing that incorporated headphones to fully immerse museum patrons into the virtual reality experience. The final enclosures were created using a combination of 3D printing and sheet metal to produce a sculpted yet rugged assembly.

Explore the danger and drama of Navy life in this hi-tech and immersive exhibition

BioPak: Woolworths Bakery

BioPak provides high quality eco-friendly packaging for the food service industry. The company initially engaged Vert Design to work with them on the design for a new series of biodegradable, paper-pulp based bakery packaging for Woolworths supermarket.

With an emphasis on freshness, the packs were designed not only to communicate the baked in-store key message to Woolworths customers but the packaging went through several rounds of design & analysis to test & optimise the sealing & barrier properties of the packs.

The packs were developed to replace an existing range of PET formed containers. Rather than just simply interpreting these existing designs in the more sustainable material. Vert re-imagined the traditional, functional, stackable container and developed a tray-pack that worked much harder in-store & post-purchase, with presentation and common user interaction at the core.

The tray & display design heroes Woolworths baked goods using high clarity PET formed tops with minimal structural ribbing. A high tolerance fit between lid & tray ensure freshness of produce is not compromised by the change in substrate. The base of the pulp trays feature a subtle 3D surface pattern to prevent the baked-good from sticking to the base.

CareerTrackers 2016

After the success of last years awards (a previous Vert project) Vert were asked to design the new awards for the 2016 CareerTrackers Indigenous Internship Program, a national non-profit organisation that creates internship opportunities for Indigenous university students.

Bento Box

The Grounds

Located in an old pie factory from the early 1900s, The Grounds of Alexandria is a flagship venue for specialty coffee. Vert Design worked with interior designer Caroline Choker to realise the custom design elements within the rustic café space and coffee roasting facility.

The studio designed and manufactured the brass and copper coffee silos used by café staff to store and dispense coffee beans; a beautiful hanging plant system; the barista’s bronze milk taps and also the light fittings. It is one of many project's in which Vert Design has worked to realise the bespoke elements of an interior designer's vision.

Museum of Copulatory Organs

There is a long tradition of scientists who are artists. Often by default, their artistic talents are acquired through a necessity to express their findings in a visual form. The latest PhD project from Colombian born Maria Fernando Cardoso, entitled The Museum of Copulatory Organs, is part of this tradition. Cardoso has embraced both traditional hands-on art processes and evolving technologies, like rapid 3D prototyping, to illustrate the microscopic world of insect penises.

Vert Design worked with Maria to CAD model the shapes and to work out an affordable and accurate method to recreate the organs using rapid prototyping processes. Animators were brought into create complex surface models that were then recreated as digital prints and 3D objects.

The project was a great challenge for our entire team but the complex research and development taught us a huge amount about SLS rapid prototyping processes. Our learnings have since been brought to other projects, where we have produced micro-drawings and micro-sculptures for exhibitions and projects, including the TheMuseum of Copulatory Organs (MoCO) which premiered at the Biennale of Sydney 2012, in a dilapidated building in Cockatoo Island, in the middle of the Sydney Harbour. It attracted more than a quarter of a million visitors, of all ages. MoCO’s collection consists of dozens of anatomically accurate models of what is dubbed by scientists as ‘genitalic extravagance’ among invertebrates. MoCO Museum is part an ongoing research project by artist Dr. Maria Fernanda Cardoso.

The museum also had a featured night at MCA Artbar where we attended and 3D printed more models at the event.

Taylor's Wine Bar

Art, wine and food make the perfect combination. This event for Art Gallery NSW members guided attendees through matching food and wine from the galleries head chef, and were provided a greater understanding of the regions the wines come from.

Members were served Taylor's wine from the wine bar we custom designed for the event, whilst enjoying a viewing of Renaissance to Goya: prints and drawings from Spain.

Sydney Observatory 2015

Following the success of the previous planetarium dome that Vert designed for Sydney Observatory a few years earlier, the new 2015 version includes a series of small design modifications to improve the way the lightweight structure performs.

Vert worked closely with a local sailmaker to accurately produce the new stretched screen-fabric dome. The main structure is made up from x30 composite battens in an umbrella arrangement, 3D printed end-brackets & an Aluminium top-plate hold the structure perfectly true.

The new design enables easy assembly & adjustment, but most importantly it delivers a semi-sephericle screen which is completely stitchless & featureless from the inside. Allowing observers to focus on the fascinating projected imagery without any visual interruption.

Balmain Boat Company: Pilot Boat

In 2013, the Balmain Boat Company released, "The Pilot," it's third boat kit.

The Balmain Boat Company was launched in the spring of 2011. Since then, they have shipped boat kits to every state and territory in Australia and as far away as France and the United Kingdom. The boats are a testament to Simpson’s design acumen. They’re sold as flat sheets of timber that any pair of hands can transform into a watertight vessel. Still’s hands were two of the first to show how achievable it is – you can watch her progress on their website. They’re also cheap, functional and as elegant as anything you’ll see on the harbour or bay.

The boat kits are laser cut from certified sustainable-source marine ply and, when constructed, are just over two metres long (big enough to seat three adults). They can be fitted with sails, oars and outboard motors and there is a miniature version for kids that can be towed behind the ‘Classic’ model.

The design of the wooden clinker-built boats is a romanticised blend of ’40s-style rowboat with the contemporary clean lines and neat edges of computer-led wood-cutting. At 2.3 metres, they are big enough to fit three adults but small enough to pop on the roofracks of a small car. Cheaper and better-looking than your average tinny, the boats bring a stylish water lifestyle well within reach.

North & South: English Breakfast Gin Bottle

Vert Design were commissioned by Landor’s innovation agency North & South to bring to life their concept for a bespoke Gin bottle.

To achieve accuracy in small batch production, a combination of moulds & forming tools were designed & fabricated in-house, including a timber mould for glass blowing, a graphite lipping tool to form the bottle necks, as well as an aluminium tool used to mould the custom rubber stoppers; also produced in-house using a low-pressure injection moulding machine.

After an initial trial run of the tool, some small adaptations were made to the bottle to optimise the design for the hand-blowing process. A total of 160 glass bottles were produced by a local glass blowing studio.

Glass Carafe

Kleva Cut Master Series

In 2013 Vert worked on a project designing the handles for the new Kleva Cut Master Series 5-piece knife set, with the aim to create a crafted 'mould to your hand' ergonomic grip.

The handles feature an index-finger rest on top near the blade and a notch underneath which add comfort and control when pressing & slicing. We thickened up the butt end of the handle to increase the area for the palm to press against, which also helps balance the blade of the knife.

In addition Vert were also engaged to develop a new surface suction blade sharpener designed to be mounted on your fridge or workbench with an easy use suction pad.

Sagitine

Working with the mastermind herself, Tina Clark, we have been developing the Sagitine range of storage/furniture solutions that yearn to be a feature item not hidden out of sight.

The boutique high end storage system consists of 3 sizes of storage cases, made of a premium, lined card with custom leather handles that marry function and aesthetics. These cases are customised to fit into specially designed stands with a range of sizes and finishes available to suit all needs.

Heineken Instalab

Sydney-based creative digital agency Holler engaged Vert Design to develop a portable Instagram Printing Machine that would be the centrepiece of Heineken's event photo-booth. Dubbed the “Heineken Instalab”, these machines are deployed at special events where patrons can have polaroid style photos printed simply by using a Heineken event hashtag.

Vert Design worked with Holler, taking their initial concept and evolving their brief to create a design that would stay true to the Heineken brand. The result was a multi-faceted housing that featured embossed lettering and a minimal green band that introduces brand colour to the metallic case. Each case was machined from a solid billet of 6061 aluminium then anodized with a chemically brightened hard coat adding lustre to the metallic finish.

Teddy X

Creative agency Grumpy Sailor for Google, engaged Vert Design to bring their vision of Teddy X to life as part of an interactive installation for the 2015 TEDxSydney hosted at the Opera House.

Soft and cuddly on the outside, and part android on the inside. Teddy X was a designed to a be smarter than your average bear that would take conference attendees on an interactive journey around the Opera House. GPS and sensor data retrieved by an internally housed Nexus 5 smart phone with a custom app would prompt Teddy X to talk, sings or tell jokes to the participant.

All 30 bears had custom designed skulls that not only functioned to hold the speaker units but the specific shape acted as a resonance chamber that amplified the audio output, increasing clarity and tone. A Nexus 5 phone, amp and batteries where all housed in a unique and compact housing that made installing the phones as easy as possible at the same time maintaining Teddy X’s plush nature.

Small scale production of all 30 teddies was carried out in house, from producing all 3D printed components to soldering & wiring electronics through to final installations & re-assembly.

Coco Cut

Cococut is an easy to use device that makes it easy and safe to cut open coconuts. Simply place the tool on top of the coconut, hold the base with one hand and turn the tap with the other. The coconut opening tool works like a saw, cutting the coconut shell and opening the coconut so you can get to the coconut meat inside along with drinking the fresh coconut milk.

Open your fresh coconuts easily and quickly, where ever you are. Much safer than using knives, the cococut makes it easy to access fresh coconut water for drinking or to open up coconuts for serving curries, salads and even breakfast in!

Handvas

Devised by Nadia Ahmad, Handvas was inspired by how designers hold up their work. The design was developed for those who want to display their prints and posters in a more engaging and creative way. The hands mount onto a wall, and the artwork is held securely between the thumb and forefingers.

Vert Design collaborated with Nadia to create an anthropometrically accurate CAD model that became the Handvas. The final product is 3D printed and produced in a polished finish.

Intel Boom Box Bike

The Boombox Bike was the winning concept from the Intel Convertible Challenge, a competition held by Intel computers. Organised to support the launch of Intel’s Ultrabook convertible, the brand asked the public to submit concepts for a product that combines two existing things. Out of thousands of entries, Hayley Wood’s Boombox Bike was chosen as the winning concept.

Hayley’s boombox bike concept was deemed the perfect harmony of two everyday items – a bike and a stereo. As the cyclist rides the bike, the movement of the pedals would recharge the stereo’s battery, meaning no external power source would be required. Vert Design was then brought on board by Intel to make Hayley’s concept a reality. Rather than customise an existing bike, Vert’s design team let their imaginations run wild, redesigning a bike from scratch.

A lot of the design was completed in the CAD model, using Intel-powered computers, and a number of different design options were tested out. To get a high-quality deep sound out of the bike, the designers created airtight resonant chambers that were incorporated into the build.

“They put in good lights and you can tell they really considered the best way to build the boombox into the bike frame and get the most out of it,” she said. “The stereo is an FM radio and mp3 player with Bluetooth connectivity. It’s the perfect end product, and the aesthetics are spot on. I wouldn’t change anything about the design.”

Viajiyu

Viajiyu was founded by Nicole Still, storyteller and entrepreneur. From Loveland, Ohio to Sydney, Australia via TIME Magazine in New York City. In Tokyo, Nicole started thinking about creating the perfect pair of flats for the modern woman. Conceives businesses, as well as, children. She's a doer and a creator and most of all a traveler.

Viajiyu invite women to design their own shoes, inspired by extraordinary life stories and the world's most beautiful places. Vert was approached by founder Nicole Still to create digital versions of the thousands of different styles of ballet flats that Viajiyu offers for customization. Immense attention to detail was taken to create realistic versions of the different materials and colours that can be chosen to give the user an accurate idea of what their individual shoe would look like.

The physical Viajiyu shoes are handmade in Italy, using the finest fabrics, by the same artisans who have been making shoes for centuries. Partnering with the same Italian shoemakers, who make some of the world's best known and sought after luxury shoe brands.

Cap Hanger

The Pigtail makes it possible to store a guitar within your closet safely and easily. The weight of the guitar pulls the offset looping hook upwards, securely wrapping around the whole of the hanging rod. This feature ensures the Pigtail and guitar, will never slide off.

The concept and initial design for this product was devise by The Cap Hanger Co. founder, Christopher Saunders. Christopher brought a prototype of his design to Vert. The design team helped him refine the design, decide on the best method of manufacture, source a local Australian manufacturer and create all the necessary documentation to produce the product.

In the final design, a solid steel core delivers structural integrity to the hanger while a soft polyethylene coating provides a gentle for the neck of the guitar to rest on while protecting the instrument’s surface.

The Pigtail is a finalist in the 2013 Sydney Design Awards.

Junk Mail Press

A project with Supercyclers, that considers waste as a resource that we have not worked out what to do with. The Junk Press challenges the perception of junk mail being rubbish, and instead utilises trash as a raw material that is delivered daily for free. The press is sand cast in aluminium and has interchangeable moulds to make a range of bowls, plates, lunchboxes light shades and cups.

Maud 'M'

Graphic design agency Maud engaged Vert Design to help them produce work for Alphabetica, a group exhibition held at He Made She Made. The project saw 28 local and internationally renowned artists, illustrators and typographers created their own unique interpretation of a single letter of the alphabet.

Maud had the idea to design an ‘M’ from the perspective of a child. Vert Design worked with Maud, taking their concept, CAD modelling it and 3D printing it. When the object is placed on a ledge at the height of a small child it appears as a mountain range. Seen from the perspective of an adult, or a very tall child, it appears as a letter M or an upside down W.

All the Alphabetica works were sold, raising over $20,000 for the Dan­delion Sup­port Net­work a charity that cleans and safety checks new and pre-loved children’s clothes, nursery items and toys for distribution through social workers to the children of families in crisis.

Maud Coasters

Impressed by the Junk Press, Maud collaborated with us to utilise this technique for coasters for the worlds biggest advertising conference. The Junk Press challenges the perception of junk mail being rubbish, and instead utilises trash as a raw material that is delivered daily for free. Looking at the function of a coaster and using design thinking to take this further than just print design, we hand made these coasters with raised details to stop the glass from sticking.

Quay: Coat Tags

Based on the scroll motif of Quay Restaurants iconic logo, these solid brass keys were designed to replace the traditional 'number token' given to customers in exchange for their coats at the cloak room. The brass keys are tumble finished and individually hand stamped, becoming an elegant touchpoint of the prestigious, award winning restaurant.

BioPak

BioPak provides high quality and disposable eco-friendly packaging for the food service industry. The company initially engaged Vert Design to work with them on the design of a new series of biodegradable, pulp-based laksa bowls.

Rather than just duplicating existing disposable laksa bowl designs in more sustainable materials, Vert's designers took a different approach, redesigning the takeaway food delivery system to give food service providers more flexibility. The modular range of containers is stackable and supports a variety of serving sizes and product types. Bases and lids are interchangeable. The lids can even be flipped upside down to become foodservice vessels in their own right.

Improvements were also made to the vessel’s seals. Conventional laksa containers tend to leak. Vert’s clear lids incorporate a waterproof cellulose seal while the pulp lids feature a four-point click in tab system. Both were refined to be extra watertight so consumers can keep their laksa within its bowl rather than ending up with it all over their lap!

BeBe

Love Being Woman was created after a conversation in 2007. Lisa and Kris identified a lack of tasteful sensual products for women and men. Most of these products were designed and marketed in an unappealing way. When it came to vibrators, they decided they would take a bold step and design and manufacture one themselves.

They researched what was important for women and men when choosing a vibrator. After 2 years of research and development, the Be Be Vibrator was ready to give pleasure! In 2009 , they started exporting the to the UK, where it was voted one of the Top 5 Vibrators by Cosmopolitan Magazine. They must have hit the spot, because of the endless testimonials thanking them for creating the Be Be and how it had helped many couples become more satisfied.

Love Being Woman went on to win an award in 2010 at the annual Illawarra Women in Business Awards. In 2011, they looked to add more tasteful products to complement the Be Be and discovered the exciting Booty Parlor range from the USA.

Sydney University: Nerve Baths

Working with the School of Medical Sciences of Sydney University in the Bio Physiology Dept. we designed and produced new testing equipment for use in their laboratories.

The Nerve Baths allow students and staff to accurately measure the response times of a stimulus along a nerve – in a case we were demonstrated it was typical University Laboratory style testing the nerve's in a cane toad’s leg.

The devices were CNC machined and make use of platinum electrodes to minimize any possible signal interference.

Pocket Gym

Pocket Gym was conceived by Danny Adcock to allow people to work out in small spaces and on the go. Danny worked out many different exercises which would have previously required bulky 30kg weights, which can be achieved just as successfully by using resistance springs.

ROSSÖ

Determined to see his furniture design dream become a reality, and not one to let a complete lack of interest from IKEA deter him, Tim 'Rosso' Ross resorted to guerrilla tactics, including creating his own catalogue insert and culminating yesterday’s launch event outside a Melbourne IKEA, to take his furniture to the people.

We helped Rosso create his furniture masterpiece, aptly named 'ROSSÖ', and brought this 'bean bag with legs' to life. Who hasn’t thought beanbags would be better if they were easier to get in and out of?

Though best known as a comedian, writer and radio host, Rosso has actually held a keen interest in architecture and design for a long time.Armed with a sketch and prototype, Rosso is determined to see the ROSSÖ stocked at IKEA.

Insulin Actuator

Vert worked in intense collaboration with MK International to create this variable dose actuator. After several rounds of testing and redevelopment, a design was create that allows patients to adjust the volume of microdosis to deliver the exact amount of insulin they need.

Purina Petlife Bowls

PURINA PETLIFE is a range of quality and innovative pet accessories that enhance the bond between pet and owner. Vert Design has been working with PETLIFE and Best Practice Plastics to design and manufacture projects including a series of interactive dog toys and a range of dog bowls. The bowls have been designed with the dog's wellbeing in mind. Through extensive trials and testing, the new bowls feature more ergonomic feeding positions, non-slip bases and challenging forms to help prevent dogs from eating too quickly.

Purina Petlife Collar

Purina Petlife Lead

Jim Beam

The laser engraved hand built birch-plywood slide boxes incase personalised, individually labelled bottles of Jim Beam, which were presented to local celebrities at the launch of their 'Join the Family' campaign for Jim Beam Australia.

3D Printed Glasses

We have been printing 3D glasses for some time now, but have just recently partnered with Australian optical legends Sneaking Duck to create a line of customizable 3D printed glasses. Using SLS (selective laser sintering) to create these nylon frames, each of our four base designs, the Dame, Cooper, Archer and HB, have been hand-crafted and rigorously tested over many months.

The glasses are available in four different base designs and six different colors. The arm length that fits best and optional text on the outer side of left arm is up to you! From the styling to the innovative hinge construction, you can be sure that you'll be getting the best.

Stella Artois Glass

Vert Design developed and produced these high quality plastic pints for Stella Artois in cooperation with Best Practice Plastics.

The project coincided with an increase in the number of glassings in Australia with drinking glasses or bottles used as a weapon in an increasing number of assaults in hotels and other licensed premises.

The objective was to design high ball glasses for use in hospitality environments that had none of the safety issues attached to normal glass beer glasses.

Vert Design approached the brief with a focus on creating not just a safer design but one that was more environmentally sustainable. The plastic pint glasses are manufactured locally from extremely durable, high quality Polycarbonate plastic. The quality of the material makes the design more scratch resistance and lends the vessel the look and feel of glass.

The average hospitality drinking glass has a life-span of four months. These have a life-span of three years. They are almost unbreakable making them a lot safer than glass.

Hydracon Food Processor

Hydracon is a patent pending world first, “a truly modular food safe conveyor system” designed specifically for raw protein food processors. The system is comprised of a series of straight and angled modules all fabricated in stainless steel. The design is truly modular which means you can quickly and cost effectively reconfigure any existing Hydracon conveyor in-house to meet changes in factory layouts. The system is food safe with no catch or welling points within the food zone. There is an internal water jet system in place, belt lifters and during cleaning it is easy to access all components. Hydracon offers a sustainable, environmentally-friendly and food safe alternative to traditional fixed length systems.`

PentaFob Controllers

The Elsema PentaFOB® series is an extremely versatile remote control that can be customized through a range of configurations and colours to suit your needs. With over 17 billion encrypted codes available and an operating range of up to 70 metres depending on building structure and receiver antenna, PentaFOB is adaptable for many situations.

The objective of this project was to transform the garage door opener from a clumsy object to a true pocket key chain device. Vert Design created a robust contemporary design that incorporates just three elements, making it simple to manufacture.

PentaFOB uses frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS), meaning when a button is pressed, it simultaneously transmits the encrypted code on five different frequencies. This makes it impossible for your remote control to be interfered or jammed.

The keyring retainer is moulded as part of the chassis using reinforced nylon making for a super sturdy keyring mount. Available in 1, 2, 4 and 5 button configurations, with raised dots on the surface of the button pad make operating the PentaFOB in the dark intuitive and allows for correct button operation. You can customise your keypad with your own graphics or logos and choose the case colours to suit.

EP&T Electrical Housing

EP&T specialise in working with commercial clients to reduce water and energy consumption, tailoring their packages to meet various needs of their clients. Vert was engaged to design a specialised enclosure for their next generation of 3 phase power meter, the EDGE G6. The meter allows for close monitoring of energy usage in tenant dwellings, when used in tandem with EP&T's software, energy consumption can be accurately tracked and effectively reduced. The design process was quite detailed as material suppliers were engaged to specify the correct plastic to meet technical requirements. The resulting enclosure is made from a special blend of Polycarbonate (PC) that does not ignite when subjected to temperatures up to 960 degrees celcius (standard IEC 60695-2-11), and an enclosure that meets solid body and liquid sealing standard IP51.

NSW Health

Working with the Dept. of Radiology and Oncology at the Prince of Wales Hospital, NSW, Vert was approached to design and produce new mouth pieces.

These mouthpieces are to be used during scanning and operation procedures by preventing any cranial movement. Part of the challenge was the pieces needed to be extremely rigid whilst also being smooth for patient comfort.

Hamptons House

Collector and stylist, Monica Ford is founder of Sydney’s Hamptons House, with a natural flair for creating beautiful spaces brimming with gorgeous and unique pieces. Armed with a passion for furniture and homewares and a desire to bring the unique and eclectic style of the Hamptons to Sydney, Monica opened the white French doors to Hamptons House in September 2013. At Hamptons House Monica curates a unique collection of furniture and homewares from around the world.

These were some brass keys that we made for Hamptons House. When $500 or more is spent, clients receive a key which gives exclusive access to the Club House, loyalty and experiences program. Club House membership entitles you to a host of benefits and privileges.

Vertical Garden

Vertical gardens are perfect for growing vegetables or other plants in small areas. Vert Design worked with Vgarden to create SlimRack, a series of elegant and versatile vertical planting systems. Each SlimRack contains five shelves for planting, each connected by a wall of growth mix which enables deep root growth, and potential for an internal irrigation system.

The units are crafted from water-resistant, anodised aluminium which should last a lifetime and are easy to install and maintain. The unit is designed to let any excess water escape from the drain holes at the bottom, but outlets can also be installed to capture this water. There is also a co-ordinating watering system available which is easily installed due to the tiny holes in the bottom of each shelf. The patented design is manufactured in Australia.

U Dam

The U Dam was designed and manufactured for Dr Christopher Ho at the Balmain-based dental clinic, Dentistry by Design. Its main purpose is to provide a guard within the mouth to prevent patients from swallowing any debris produced during dental procedures or from any abrasions to the soft tissue caused by dental equipment. The device provides dental surgeons with a clean area in which to work, and keeps a patient’s tongue concealed and controlled allowing for increased visibility.

Sydney Observatory Planetarium

Vert Design delved into completely new realms with this project. The studio was involved in the renovation of Sydney Planetarium designing a new dome for Australia’s oldest observatory.

The original dome had an internal structure that remained visible during the planetarium’s films screenings. Vert designed a new planetarium screen using projected fabric and 3D printed components. The structure now provides the perfect uninterrupted backdrop with which to explore the depths of the universe!

Sculpture by the Sea

M&C Saatchi, Sydney copywriter Simone Brandse and Three Drunk Monkeys co-founder Justin Drape have teamed up to create a crowd-stopping sculpture for this year's Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi exhibition.

The piece, titled The Big Drink, is a large-scale 13-metre bendy straw rising from the ocean along the now famous 2km Bondi to Bronte walk. Australia is an island surrounded by water, yet we never have enough of it to drink. The sculpture highlights this irony, bringing to mind the desalination debate.

The sculpture was dislodged by rough seas during the recent thunderstorm after just days of being in the water, and finally, after three more attempts to re-install it with the help of divers and a barge, the straw was back in the water yesterday with the help of a helicopter and a supporting crowd of onlookers.

Sculpture by the Sea is the world’s largest annual free-to-the-public outdoor sculpture exhibition. Now in its 15th year, it is a major public arts event for Sydney. ‘The Big Drink’ was the highlight of the first cove in the exhibition, and was awarded the Iceberg’s Subsidy.

USB Cords

An Australian company created in 2006, Gecko Gear is one of the world's premier developers of smartphone and tablet accessories.

Vert worked with Gecko to create a series of designs including a high quality USB cable. The cable connects iPods, iPhones or MP3 players to computers. Protective outer mesh provides kink-free cabling, robust grip, extra durability and guards against wear and tear.

America's Cup

Vert was commissioned to create 51 table centerpieces for the 30th Anniversary reunion luncheon commemorating the victory by Australia II in the 1983 America's Cup.

We were given the original hull design drawings, which were re created in CAD software, intricate details including the famed winged keel were rebuilt. Hulls were sand cast in aluminum and hand polished so delicate features were preserved.

The hulls were presented on aluminium base plates that mimic the main sail on Australia II, with the hulls being supported by CNC turned brass pins. Aluminium plates were black anodized, laser etched to be individually numbered and finally all being hand signed by crew members from AUSTRALIA II. At the conclusion of the luncheon, each centrepiece numbered 1 - 50 were placed for auction with each table having to bid on their centerpiece. An additional piece being 1 of 1 was auctioned separately and all guests could place a bid in hope of winning. All proceeds from the auction went to the Warren Jones Foundation.

Wot Not

WotNot specialise in biodegradable and organic products and were responsible for launching the first environmentally friendly nappy in Australia. Impressed by Vert’s sustainable credentials, WotNot asked Vert Design to design a travel case for their 100% natural facial wipes.

The hard case is manufactured from 100% recycled materials. The design has faceted edges and a lid with a small dovetail clip to lock it into place. Vert played with the texture of design to achieve a sophisticated soft EDM finish.

It is portable, refillable and resealable case has a mirror on the underside to help ensure a perfect clean on the go.